A follow-up to THE DESERT FOX, THE DESERT RATS concentrates on the Australian side of the first film's events. Capt. MacRoberts (Richard Burton) is a tough British officer who takes over command of the 9th Australian Division at Tobruk in 1941, at a desert fortress surrounded and hard
pressed by the Afrika Korps, led by Field Marshall Rommel (James Mason,...read more

See Also

Where to Watch

Available to Stream

A follow-up to THE DESERT FOX, THE DESERT RATS concentrates on the Australian side of the first film's events. Capt. MacRoberts (Richard Burton) is a tough British officer who takes over command of the 9th Australian Division at Tobruk in 1941, at a desert fortress surrounded and hard

pressed by the Afrika Korps, led by Field Marshall Rommel (James Mason, in a reprise of his role in THE DESERT FOX). MacRoberts looks down on his men, viewing them as inferior to the British regulars. Attempting to change that view is Bartlett (Robert Newton), MacRoberts's former college

professor, a lowly volunteer and a raving alcoholic. Burton is his usual forceful self, but it's Newton who steals every scene he's in, playing a floppy, roaring, and weepy drunk spouting philosophy and sentiment. Robert Wise's direction is another element in the film's success, as is Lucien

Review: A follow-up to THE DESERT FOX, THE DESERT RATS concentrates on the Australian side of the first film's events. Capt. MacRoberts (Richard Burton) is a tough British officer who takes over command of the 9th Australian Division at Tobruk in 1941, at a desert… (more)